By Hugh Hemphill, author of "San Antonio On Wheels"and "The Railroads of San Antonio and South Central Texas."

UP 3985 pulling a heritage train past TTM in 1992

Whenever the Union Pacific brings its heritage trains to San Antonio and South Central Texas it's a red letter day for both serious and casual railroad enthusiasts. We get a chance to see these magnificent examples of days gone by up close and personal. Here are some snaps of the visit by the UP Challenger 3985 in 1992, the UP 844 in 2006, and EMD E9s in 2012.

UP 3985 in San Antonio, Texas, 1992

Here are snaps taken by Peter Shavney and Don Burrer of the visit by the UP Challenger 3985 to San Antonio in 1992. The 3985 is one of only two Challengers remaining and the only one in operation. AT their peak, there were 105 of the 4-6-6-4 wheel configuration leviathans in service. They were heavy haulers, designed to move freight through mountainous regions but occasionally also moved passenger trains.

UP 3985 near the old Missouri Pacific Station in San Antonio, 1992

UP 3985 near the old Missouri Pacific Station in San Antonio, 1992

UP 3985 near the old Missouri Pacific Station in San Antonio, 1992

UP 3985 near the old Missouri Pacific Station in San Antonio, 1992

TTM Member Peter Shavney with the UP 3985 near the old Missouri Pacific Station in San Antonio, 1992

UP 3985 near the old Missouri Pacific Station in San Antonio, 1992

UP 3985 near the old Missouri Pacific Station in San Antonio, 1992

UP 3985 near the old Missouri Pacific Station in San Antonio, 1992

UP 3985 near the old Missouri Pacific Station in San Antonio, 1992

UP 3985 near the old Missouri Pacific Station in San Antonio, 1992

UP 3985 near the old Missouri Pacific Station in San Antonio, 1992

TTM Member Don Burrer with the UP 3985 near the old Missouri Pacific Station in San Antonio, 1992

UP 3985 near the old Missouri Pacific Station in San Antonio, 1992

UP 3985 in San Antonio, 1992

UP 3985 in San Antonio, 1992

UP 3985 in San Antonio, 1992

UP 3985 in San Antonio, 1992

UP 3985 in San Antonio, 1992

UP 3985 in San Antonio, 1992

UP 3985 in San Antonio, 1992

UP 844 in Uvalde and San Antonio, Texas, 2006

The UP 844, weighing 454 tons (engine and tender) with a 4-8-4 wheel configuration, was the last ever steam locomotive acquired by the Union Pacific. Built in 1944, it was destined for the scrap heap in 1960 when the company decided to keep it and add it to its small but growing heritage fleet, comprising of the UP 3985 and several classic, first generation diesel electrics. These locomotives make scheduled goodwill trips around the country and go a long way to keeping the majesty and romance of the golden age of rail travel alive. The UP 844 was designed to pull passenger trains, and was capable of speeds in excess of 110 mph, but ended its working life hauling freights. Maintained in peak condition, at enormous expense, the locomotive is now restricted to just under 85 MPH.

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 in Uvalde, 2006

UP 844 near Dunlay, 2006

UP 844 approaching the old MK&T remount yard near Rittiman Road, San Antonio

Unon Pacific Heritage Locomotives in San Antonio

The Union Pacific maintains a small fleet of modern locomotives painted in the colors of railroad companies it has merged with or taken over. UP 1989 is painted in the colors of the Rio Grande RR. These snaps were taken when it was in San Antonio pulling a train highlighting its grade crossing safety program, Operation Lifesaver. It is worth noting that it is quite rare to see these particular locomotives at the front end of any train. They usually are placed second or third, to protect their special paint jobs as much as possible.

Built by General Motors EMD (Electro Motive Division) in the 1950s, these locomotives recall the era every bit as much as the 1957 Chevrolet, another GM product. It was this class of locomotive that replaced steam. They were easier to build, operate and maintain, and operating multiple engines at one time was very simple. They often operated as a combination of A" and "B" units. The "As" had the distinctive cabs for the engineer and conductor, while the "Bs" were drones. While modern locomotives are generations better in terms of engineering, and cost less to operate and maintain, they lack the style of the first generation of diesel electric power units.

New Braunfels

UP 949 leads the UP heritage train into New Braunfels during the Union Pacific's 150th Anniversary celebrations

UP 949 near the old New Braunfels Missouri Pacific rail depot during the Union Pacific's 150th Anniversary celebrations

UP 949 leads the UP heritage train into New Braunfels during the Union Pacific's 150th Anniversary celebrations

UP heritage train crossing the Guadalupe River near New Braunfels during the Union Pacific's 150th Anniversary celebrations

Zip Zepeda boarding the UP heritage train in New Braunfels for a ride to San Antonio during the UP's 150th Anniversary celebrations

UP 949 leads the UP heritage train into New Braunfels during the Union Pacific's 150th Anniversary celebrations

San Antonio

UP 949 at the front of the UP heritage train in San Antonio during the Union Pacific's 150th Anniversary celebrations

Union Pacific heritage train in San Antonio during the UP's 150th Anniversary celebrations

UP 949 at the front of the UP heritage train in San Antonio during the Union Pacific's 150th Anniversary celebrations

A visitor snapping the engine of the UP 949 at the front of the UP heritage train in San Antonio during the Union Pacific's 150th Anniversary celebrations

UP 951 on the UP heritage train in New Braunfels during the Union Pacific's 150th Anniversary celebrations

UP 951, a GM EMD E9, in San Antonio during the Union Pacific's 150th Anniversary celebrations

1929 Ford Model A and 1924 Ford Model T with the UP heritage train in San Antonio during the Union Pacific's 150th Anniversary celebrations